U.S. patent number 9,434,056 [Application Number 14/104,039] was granted by the patent office on 2016-09-06 for impact tools with pressure verification and/or adjustment.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ingersoll-Rand Company. The grantee listed for this patent is Ingersoll-Rand Company. Invention is credited to Aaron M. Crescenti, Warren A. Seith.
United States Patent |
9,434,056 |
Seith , et al. |
September 6, 2016 |
Impact tools with pressure verification and/or adjustment
Abstract
Illustrative embodiments of impact tools having pressure
verification and/or adjustment systems are disclosed. According to
at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool may comprise a
housing, an impact mechanism supported in the housing, a motor
supported in the housing, and a pressure probe coupled to the
housing. The impact mechanism may be configured to drive rotation
of an output shaft about a first axis, the motor may be configured
to drive the impact mechanism when energized, and the pressure
probe may be configured to couple to a valve of a motor vehicle
tire to measure an air pressure of the motor vehicle tire.
Inventors: |
Seith; Warren A. (Bethlehem,
PA), Crescenti; Aaron M. (Glen Gardner, NJ) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ingersoll-Rand Company |
Davidson |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ingersoll-Rand Company
(Davidson, NC)
|
Family
ID: |
53367302 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/104,039 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20150165602 A1 |
Jun 18, 2015 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B26B
11/003 (20130101); B25B 23/1427 (20130101); B25B
13/56 (20130101); B25B 21/02 (20130101); B25F
5/029 (20130101); B25B 23/0007 (20130101); B25F
3/00 (20130101); B25B 23/0021 (20130101); B26B
1/046 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B25B
21/02 (20060101); B26B 11/00 (20060101); B25F
3/00 (20060101); B25B 23/142 (20060101); B25B
13/56 (20060101); B25B 23/00 (20060101); B26B
1/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;173/20,90,217,171,29,93,93.5 ;7/163,164,168,100,119,128,129
;73/146.3,714,146.8 ;417/63,234,223,319,423.14,442
;81/28,177.6,177.7,177.85,440 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Black & Decker, "High Performance Cordless Inflator," 2013, 3
pages. cited by applicant .
Life-Plicity, "The Life-Plicity Multi-Tool Tire Pressure Gauge With
Multi Safety Features," 2013, 3 pages. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Smith; Scott A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An impact tool comprising: a housing; an impact mechanism
supported in the housing, the impact mechanism being configured to
drive rotation of an output shaft about a first axis; a motor
supported in the housing, the motor being configured to drive the
impact mechanism when energized; and a pressure probe coupled to
the housing, the pressure probe being configured to couple to a
valve of a motor vehicle tire to measure an air pressure of the
motor vehicle tire.
2. The impact tool of claim 1, further comprising a display
supported by the housing, the display being configured to provide
an indication of the air pressure of the motor vehicle tire
measured by the pressure probe.
3. The impact tool of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a
cavity formed therein, the cavity being configured to receive the
pressure probe when not in use.
4. The impact tool of claim 3, wherein the pressure probe is
rotatably mounted within the cavity such that the pressure probe is
configured to be rotated out of the cavity for use.
5. The impact tool of claim 3, wherein the pressure probe includes
a first arm rotatably mounted within the cavity and second arm
rotatably mounted to the first arm.
6. The impact tool of claim 1, wherein the pressure probe is
integrally formed as part of the housing.
7. The impact tool of claim 1, wherein the pressure probe extends
along a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis.
8. The impact tool of claim 1, wherein the pressure probe is
further configured to adjust the air pressure of the motor vehicle
tire.
9. The impact tool of claim 8, further comprising an air compressor
supported in the housing and configured to be driven by the motor,
the pressure probe being in fluid communication with the air
compressor.
10. The impact tool of claim 8, wherein the impact tool is
configured to be connected to an external source of pressurized
air, the pressure probe being in selective fluid communication with
the source of pressurized air.
11. The impact tool of claim 1, further comprising an implement
holder coupled to the housing of the impact tool, the implement
holder being configured to a hold an implement that may be
removably coupled the output shaft.
12. The impact tool of claim 1, wherein the impact mechanism
comprises: an anvil coupled to the output shaft and configured to
rotate about the first axis; and a hammer configured to rotate
about the first axis to periodically deliver an impact blow to the
anvil to cause rotation thereof.
13. An impact tool comprising: a housing; a motor supported in the
housing; an output shaft supported by the housing, the output shaft
configured to rotate about a first axis; an impact mechanism
supported in the housing, the impact mechanism comprising an anvil
coupled to the output shaft and a hammer configured to rotate when
driven by the motor to periodically deliver an impact blow to the
anvil to cause rotation of the anvil and the output shaft; a
pressure probe coupled to the housing, the pressure probe being
configured to couple to a valve of a motor vehicle tire to measure
an air pressure of the motor vehicle tire; and a display supported
by the housing, the display being configured to provide an
indication of the air pressure of the motor vehicle tire measured
by the pressure probe.
14. The impact tool of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a
cavity formed therein, the cavity being configured to receive the
pressure probe when not in use.
15. The impact tool of claim 14, wherein the pressure probe is
rotatably mounted within the cavity such that the pressure probe is
configured to be rotated out of the cavity for use.
16. The impact tool of claim 14, wherein the pressure probe
includes a first arm rotatably mounted within the cavity and second
arm rotatably mounted to the first arm.
17. The impact tool of claim 13, wherein the pressure probe is
integrally formed as part of the housing and extends along a second
axis that is non-parallel to the first axis.
18. The impact tool of claim 13, wherein the pressure probe is
further configured to adjust the air pressure of the motor vehicle
tire.
19. The impact tool of claim 18, further comprising an air
compressor supported in the housing and configured to be driven by
the motor, the pressure probe being in fluid communication with the
air compressor.
20. The impact tool of claim 18, wherein the impact tool is
configured to be connected to an external source of pressurized
air, the pressure probe being in selective fluid communication with
the source of pressurized air.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to impact tools. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to impact tools having
pressure verification and/or adjustment systems.
BACKGROUND
An impact wrench or impact tool may be used to install and remove
threaded fasteners. Impact tools generally include a motor coupled
to an impact mechanism that converts the torque of the motor into a
series of powerful rotary blows directed from a hammer to an output
shaft called an anvil. While impact tools have many uses, impact
tools are often used when installing and removing lug nuts that
secure an automotive wheel or tire assembly to a vehicle. Impact
tools are preferred in such situations because they offer
reactionless operation (i.e., the user does not have to fight a
reaction torque as the impact tool tightens or removes a fastener),
they provide the ability to loosen stubborn fasteners, and they
operate quickly and efficiently.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect, an impact tool may comprise a housing, an
impact mechanism supported in the housing, a motor supported in the
housing, and a pressure probe coupled to the housing. The impact
mechanism may be configured to drive rotation of an output shaft
about a first axis, the motor may be configured to drive the impact
mechanism when energized, and the pressure probe may be configured
to couple to a valve of a motor vehicle tire to measure an air
pressure of the motor vehicle tire.
In some embodiments, the impact tool may further comprise a display
supported by the housing. The display may be configured to provide
an indication of the air pressure of the motor vehicle tire
measured by the pressure probe.
In some embodiments, the housing may include a cavity formed
therein, where the cavity is configured to receive the pressure
probe when not in use. The pressure probe may be rotatably mounted
within the cavity such that the pressure probe is configured to be
rotated out of the cavity for use. The pressure probe may include a
first arm rotatably mounted within the cavity and second arm
rotatably mounted to the first arm.
In some embodiments, the pressure probe may be integrally formed as
part of the housing. The pressure probe may extend along a second
axis that is non-parallel to the first axis.
In some embodiments, the pressure probe may be further configured
to adjust the air pressure of the motor vehicle tire. The impact
tool may further comprise an air compressor supported in the
housing and configured to be driven by the motor, and the pressure
probe may be in fluid communication with the air compressor. The
impact tool may be configured to be connected to an external source
of pressurized air, and the pressure probe may be in selective
fluid communication with the source of pressurized air.
In some embodiments, the impact tool may further comprise an
implement holder coupled to the housing of the impact tool. The
implement holder may be configured to a hold an implement that may
be removably coupled the output shaft.
In some embodiments, the impact mechanism may comprise an anvil
coupled to the output shaft and configured to rotate about the
first axis. The impact mechanism may further comprise a hammer
configured to rotate about the first axis to periodically deliver
an impact blow to the anvil to cause rotation thereof.
According to another aspect, an impact tool may comprise a housing,
a motor supported in the housing, an output shaft supported by the
housing, where the output shaft is configured to rotate about a
first axis, an impact mechanism supported in the housing, where the
impact mechanism comprises an anvil coupled to the output shaft and
a hammer configured to rotate when driven by the motor to
periodically deliver an impact blow to the anvil to cause rotation
of the anvil and the output shaft, a pressure probe coupled to the
housing, where the pressure probe is configured to couple to a
valve of a motor vehicle tire to measure an air pressure of the
motor vehicle tire, and a display supported by the housing, where
the display is configured to provide an indication of the air
pressure of the motor vehicle tire measured by the pressure
probe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The concepts described in the present disclosure are illustrated by
way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying
figures. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements
illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For
example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated
relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered
appropriate, the same or similar reference labels have been
repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous
elements.
FIG. 1 is a top, rear perspective view of an impact tool;
FIG. 2A is a top, rear perspective, partial cross-sectional, and
partial exploded view of an impact tool, similar to the impact tool
of FIG. 1, with internal components removed therefrom and
incorporating a first illustrative embodiment of a pressure
verification and/or adjustment system;
FIG. 2B is a top, rear perspective view of the impact tool of FIG.
2A;
FIG. 2C is partial cross-sectional view of another impact tool,
incorporating a second illustrative embodiment of a pressure
verification and/or adjustment system;
FIG. 2D is a side elevation view of the impact tool of FIG. 2C,
with a pressure probe of the second illustrative embodiment of the
pressure verification and/or adjustment system attached to a
pressure valve of a tire to determine and/or adjust a pressure
thereof;
FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of another impact tool,
incorporating a third illustrative embodiment of a pressure
verification and/or adjustment system;
FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of the impact tool of FIG.
3A;
FIG. 4A is a top, front perspective view another impact tool,
incorporating a fourth illustrative embodiment of a pressure
verification and/or adjustment system;
FIG. 4B is a top elevation view of the impact tool of FIG. 4A;
FIG. 4C is a front elevation view of the impact tool of FIG.
4A;
FIG. 5 is a top, rear perspective view of another impact tool,
incorporating a fifth illustrative embodiment of a pressure
verification and/or adjustment system;
FIG. 6 is a basic system schematic for any of the pressure
verification and/or adjustment systems disclosed herein; and
FIG. 7 is a system diagram for an exemplary pneumatic impact tool
with pressure verification and/or adjustment capabilities.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to
various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary
embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the
figures and will herein be described in detail. It should be
understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts
of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on
the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope
of the present disclosure.
A prior art impact tool 10 is depicted in FIG. 1. The impact tool
10 generally includes a motor 12, an impact mechanism 14 driven by
the motor 12, and an output shaft 16 driven for rotation by the
impact mechanism 14. The motor 12 may illustratively be embodied as
an electric motor or a pneumatic motor. The impact tool 10 has a
forward output end 18 and a rear end 20. In some illustrative
embodiments, the impact mechanism 14 of the impact tool 10 may be
of the type commonly known as a "ball-and-cam" impact mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,160,150 to Jimerson et al. (the entire disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated by reference) describes at least
one embodiment of such a ball-and-cam impact mechanism. In other
illustrative embodiments, the impact mechanism 14 of the impact
tool may be embodied as a "swinging-weight" type impact mechanism,
such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,661,217 to Maurer (the
entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference), by
way of example. In still other illustrative embodiments, the impact
tool 10 may include any other suitable impact mechanism 14.
Further, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the
principles of the present disclosure may be implemented within any
impact tool.
Referring now to FIGS. 2A-D, exemplary impacts tools 120
incorporating illustrative embodiments of a pressure verification
and/or adjustment system are depicted. The impact tools 120 each
generally include a housing 121 supporting a motor 122, an impact
mechanism 124 driven by the motor 122, and an output shaft 126 that
extends from a forward output end 128 (opposite a rear end 130) of
the housing 121 and is driven for rotation by the impact mechanism
124. In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the impact
tool 120 includes a pneumatic motor 122 (not shown) that may be
connected to an external source of pressurized air 125, as
indicated in FIG. 2B. As described further below (with reference to
FIG. 7), in some embodiments where the impact tool 120 is connected
to an external source of pressurized air 125, the pressurized air
125 may be also be optionally supplied to the pressure verification
and/or adjustment system (e.g., via an valve that diverts some or
all of pressurized air 125 from the pneumatic motor 122 to the
pressure verification and/or adjustment system of the impact tool
120).
In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 2C and 2D, the impact tool
120 instead includes an electric motor 122 (rather than a pneumatic
motor). The electric motor 122 may be connected to a rechargeable
battery 127 removably coupled to the impact tool 120 (as shown in
FIG. 2D) or to an external source of electrical power. As shown in
FIG. 2C and further described below, in some embodiments where the
impact tool 120 includes an electric motor 122 and is not connected
to an external source of pressurized air 125, the impact tool 120
may optionally include an air compressor assembly 123 that provides
an onboard source of pressurized air for the pressure verification
and/or adjustment system.
The pressure verification and/or adjustment system of FIGS. 2A-D
includes a pressure probe 140 and a display 142 (illustratively
shown as a digital display 142). In the illustrative embodiments of
FIGS. 2A-D, the pressure probe 140 includes a body 144 that is
connected to the housing 121 of the impact tool 120. In these
illustrative embodiments, the housing 121 of the impact tool 120
includes a cavity 146 in which the pressure probe 140 may be stored
while not in use. More particularly, one end 148 of the body 144 of
the pressure probe 40 may be attached to the impact tool 120 by
inserting a pin 150 through holes 152 formed in the end 148 of the
body 144 and in opposing walls 154 (one shown) bounding the cavity
146. In this manner, the pressure probe 140 may be rotated into the
cavity 146 for storage or out of the cavity 146 for use. In the
illustrative embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A-D, the pressure probe
140 may be stored within the cavity 146 such that no portion of the
pressure probe 140 extends beyond an outer surface of the housing
121 of the impact tool 120. In alternative illustrative
embodiments, the pressure probe 140 may partially protrude out of
the cavity 146 during storage. In some embodiments, the pin 150 may
extend into elongate slots within the walls 154 such that the pin
150 may slide along the slots and, thus, along the cavity 146. In
still other embodiments, the pressure probe 40 may be removably
stored within the cavity 146 such that the pressure probe 140 may
be entirely removed from the cavity 146 and moved in any dimension
relative to the housing 121 of the impact tool 120.
As seen in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the pressure probe 140 may further
include a pressure sensor 160 and a valve 162 (e.g., a "Schrader"
valve) held within the body 144 by an end cap 164 having an inlet
166. The pressure probe 140 may function similarly to known
pressure sensing devices to measure the internal pressure of, for
example, a tire 172. When the pressure probe 140 is rotated to a
use position, the inlet 166 may receive a valve stem 170 of a tire
172 (e.g., the tire of a motor vehicle), as shown in FIG. 2D. The
pressure sensor 160 is electrically connected to a processor
incorporated within the display 142 (or, alternatively, within
another part of the impact tool 120), which is configured to
receive the electrical signals from the pressure sensor 160 and to
present the sensed pressure of the tire 172 on the display 142. In
some embodiments, the display 142 may present any additional
information, such as previous sensed pressures, battery life,
supplied air pressure, and/or any other relevant information. The
display 142 may also include other input and output features,
including, but not limited to, various buttons 180 (see, e.g., FIG.
2A), switches 182 (see, e.g., FIG. 2B), and/or lights. In some
illustrative embodiments, one or more buttons 180 may be utilized
to illuminate the display 142, turn the display 142 on and/or off,
reset the pressure on the display 142, or perform any other desired
function(s). Additionally or alternatively, a selector switch 182
may be provided on the display 142 (or on the housing 121) to
activate the pressure sensor 160 of the pressure probe 140, control
the supply of pressurized air to the pressure probe 140, or perform
any other desired function(s).
An impact tool 220 incorporating another illustrative embodiment of
a pressure verification and/or adjustment system is depicted in
FIGS. 3A and 3B. The internal components of the impact tool 220 may
be similar to any of the other impact tools described herein. The
impact tool 220 includes a housing 221 that integrally incorporates
a pressure probe 240. In this illustrative embodiment, the pressure
probe 240 is fixedly formed as part of the housing 221. In
particular, the components of the pressure probe 240 may be
positioned within the housing and an inlet 242 for the pressure
probe 240 may be molded or otherwise fixedly formed as part of the
housing 221, thereby providing rigidity to the pressure probe 240
and the inlet 242. It is contemplated that the pressure probe 240
may be formed in any portion of the housing 221 of the impact tool
220. In illustrative embodiments, an insertion axis 246 of the
pressure probe 240 may be positioned at an angle A1 with respect to
an output axis 244 of the impact tool 220 to allow a user to grasp
a handle 250 of the impact tool 220, tilt the impact tool 220, and
insert a valve stem (e.g., of a tire) into the inlet 242 along the
insertion axis 246. The angle A1 prevents interference between the
pressure probe 240 and an output shaft 226 of the impact tool 220
during operation of one or the other. While not specifically
depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the pressure verification and/or
adjustment system of the impact tool 220 may also include a
display, as disclosed with respect to the illustrative embodiment
of FIGS. 2A-2D. Likewise, the pressure probe 240 may include
similar internal components to the pressure probe 140 of the
illustrative embodiments of FIGS. 2A-2D.
An impact tool 320 incorporating another illustrative embodiment of
a pressure verification and/or adjustment system is depicted in
FIGS. 4A-C. The internal components of the impact tool 320 may be
similar to any of the other impact tools described herein. The
impact tool 320 includes a housing 321 supporting a motor, an
impact mechanism driven by the motor, and an output shaft 326 that
extends from the housing 321 and is driven for rotation by the
impact mechanism. The impact tool 320 also includes a pressure
probe 340 and a display (not shown), which are generally similar to
those described in detail above with reference to FIGS. 2A-2D. The
pressure probe 340 of the impact tool 320, however, includes two or
more arms 342, 344 that may be attached by pins, or any other
fasteners, that allow the arms 342, 344 to articulate with respect
to one another. A cavity 328 may be formed within a portion of the
housing 321 for storage of the pressure probe 340 when not in use.
In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-C, the pressure
probe 340 is coupled to the housing 321 by inserting a pin 350
through holes (not shown) formed in the arm 342 and in opposing
walls 352 bounding the cavity 328. In this manner, the arm 342 of
the pressure probe 340 may be rotated into the cavity 328 for
storage of the pressure probe 340 or out of the cavity 328 for use.
Furthermore, the arm 344 may be rotated about the arm 342 to bend
the pressure probe 340 into a desired orientation. In this manner,
the pressure probe 340 provides additional flexibility in
maneuvering, for example, into small or oddly shaped spaces.
Yet another illustrative embodiment of an impact tool 420 having a
pressure verification and/or adjustment system is depicted in FIG.
5. The internal components of the impact tool 420 may be similar to
any of the other impact tools described herein. The impact tool 420
includes a housing 421 supporting a motor, an impact mechanism
driven by the motor, and an output shaft 426 that extends from the
housing 421 and is driven for rotation by the impact mechanism.
While the impact tool 420 is shown in FIG. 5 as an electrically
powered tool (e.g., having an electric motor and optionally
including an air compressor assembly), the impact tool 420 may
alternatively be a pneumatically powered tool connected to an
external source of pressurized air. The pressure verification
and/or adjustment system of the impact tool 420 includes a pressure
probe 440 and a pressure display 442, which are similar in
structure and operation to the pressure probe 140 and the display
142 described above with reference to FIGS. 2A-D (but,
alternatively, might be similar to any of the other pressure
verification and/or adjustment systems described herein). In
particular, the pressure probe 440 includes a body 444 that may
rotated in and out of a cavity 446 formed in the housing 421 of the
impact tool 420. As shown in FIG. 5, the impact tool 420 also
includes an implement holder 460, for example, in the form of a
socket clip, coupled to the housing 421. The implement holder 460
may be integral with or otherwise attached (e.g., by screws or
other fasteners 464) to the housing 421 of the impact tool 420. The
illustrative implement holder 460 is configured to hold, for
example, a double-sided socket 462. It is contemplated that any
number of implement holders 460 may be coupled to the housing 421
to hold any number of sockets 462 and/or any other implements for
attachment to the output shaft 426. The implement holder(s) 460
provide easy access to implements during use of the impact tool
420.
Any of the pressure verification and/or adjustment systems of the
impact tools 120, 220, 320, 420 described herein may be coupled to
a tire valve stem 170 to measure a pressure of a tire 172 (as
illustratively shown in FIG. 2D). A basic system diagram showing
the electrical components of the presently disclosed pressure
verification and/or adjustment systems that allow for such
measurement of the pressure of the tire 172 is depicted in FIG. 6
(and will be illustratively described with reference to the
pressure verification and/or adjustment system of FIGS. 2A-2D). The
valve 162 (e.g., a Schrader valve) of the pressure probe 140 is
fluidly coupled to the pressure sensor 160. The pressure sensor 160
is electrically coupled to a processor 500 that receives electrical
signals regarding sensed pressure(s) from the pressure sensor 160.
The processor 500 is electrically coupled to the display 142 to
generate an indication of the sensed pressure(s) on the display
142. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the processor 500 may
be incorporated into the display 142. Each of the pressure sensor
160, the processor 500, and the display 142 is electrically coupled
to an electrical power source of the impact tool 120. For instance,
where the motor 112 of the impact tool 120 is electrically powered
(such as FIGS. 2C and 2D), the pressure sensor 160, the processor
500, and the display 142 may draw electrical power from a
rechargeable battery 127 coupled to the impact tool 120. In
embodiments where the motor 112 of the impact tool 120 is
pneumatically powered (such as FIGS. 2A and 2B), a small battery
may be incorporated directly into the pressure verification and/or
adjustment system to provide power to the pressure sensor 160, the
processor 500, and the digital display 142.
In some illustrative embodiments, any of the pressure verification
and/or adjustment systems of the impact tools 120, 220, 320, 420
described herein may further be configured to adjust the pressure
of the tire 172 via the tire valve stem 170 to which the pressure
probe 140, 240, 340, 440 is coupled. For example, in some
illustrative embodiments, the pressure probe 140 may be operable to
selectively bleed air from the tire 172 to decrease the pressure of
the tire 172. In some embodiments, a button 180 or switch 182 of
the display 142 (or another user input mechanism located in any
suitable position on the housing 121 of the impact tool 120) may be
operated by a user to selectively allow air to pass through the
pressure probe 140 and be vented to the atmosphere.
In some illustrative embodiments, any of the pressure verification
and/or adjustment systems of the impact tools 120, 220, 320, 420
described herein may further be configured to increase the pressure
of the tire 172 by supplying additional pressurized air to the tire
valve stem 170 via the pressure probe 140, 240, 340, 440. One
illustrative system diagram for an exemplary pneumatic impact tool
(such as the impact tool 120 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) with such a
pressure verification and adjustment system is depicted in FIG. 7.
As described above, the impact tool 120 is provided with
pressurized air 125 (from an external source) through an inlet
valve. A selector switch or valve incorporated in the impact tool
120 may be used to selectively direct air to the pneumatic motor
122 (to operate the impact mechanism 124 and cause rotation of the
output shaft 126 to tighten or loosen a fastener) and/or to the
pressure probe 140 (to supply pressured air to the tire valve stem
170 coupled to the valve 162 of the pressure probe 140). In some
embodiments, a button 180 or switch 182 of the display 142 (or
another user input mechanism located in any suitable position on
the housing 121 of the impact tool 120) may be operated by a user
to toggle the selector switch or valve. In this manner, at least a
portion of the pressurized air 125 may be diverted from the
pneumatic motor 122 for use in increasing the air pressure of the
tire 172.
In embodiments in which the impact tool is not connected to an
external source of pressurized air (for example, the electrically
powered impact tool 120 of FIGS. 2C and 2D or the electrically
powered impact tools 220, 320, 420 of FIGS. 3A-5), the impact tool
may include an on-board air compressor 123, one illustrative
embodiment of which is shown in partial cross-section in FIG. 2C.
The air compressor 123 may be fluidly coupled to the pressure probe
140 of the impact tool 120 to supply pressurized air to the
pressure probe 140 when the air compressor 123 is operated. As
shown in FIG. 2C, a selector switch 408 may be used to alternately
engage and disengage forward and aft shut-off clutches 400, 402
connected to the electric motor 122 by forward and aft output shaft
connections 404, 406. When rotation of the output shaft 126 of the
impact tool 120 is desired, the forward shut-off clutch 400 is
engaged and the electric motor 122 is used to drive the impact
mechanism 124 to cause rotation of the output shaft 126 (while the
aft shut-off clutch 402 remains disengaged). When operation of the
air compressor 123 is desired, the selector switch 408 may be slid
toward the rear end 130 of the impact tool 120 to engage the aft
shut-off clutch 402 and to simultaneously disengage the forward
shut-off clutch 400 (as shown in FIG. 2C). In this position,
operation of the electric motor 122 will drive the air compressor
123 (rather than the impact mechanism 120), allowing the air
compressor 123 to provide pressurized air to the pressure probe
140. The impact tool 120 may be returned to the other mode of
operation by sliding the selector switch 408 toward the front end
128 of the impact tool 120.
If the pressure probe 140, 240, 340, 440 of any of the illustrative
embodiments described herein is used to adjust pressure, the
processor 500 may be used to achieve a desired pressure setting. In
some illustrative embodiment, a user may be able to enter a desired
pressure value, connect the pressure probe 140, 240, 340, 440 to a
valve, and the processor 500 may control the pressure probe 140,
240, 340, 440 to supply and/or bleed pressurized air to/from the
valve until the desired pressure is achieved. For example, the
processor 500 might utilize an algorithm mimicking the technique of
fractionally over-inflating the tire (i.e., above the desired
pressure setting) and then bleeding down the pressure to the
desired value.
Any one or more features of any of the pressure verification and/or
adjustment systems disclosed herein may be incorporated (alone or
in combination) into any impact tool. The presently disclosed
impact tools including pressure verification and/or adjustment
systems provide a single tool that is capable of both
installing/removing fasteners (e.g., wheel lug nuts) and
verifying/adjusting air pressure (e.g., tire pressure). This will
typically reduce the amount of time and the number of tools
required to perform various tasks related to vehicle wheel and/or
tire installation, by way of example. The implement holder 460
shown in FIG. 5 may further reduce the amount of time needed to
perform such tasks because additional implements are immediately
available to a user.
While certain illustrative embodiments have been described in
detail in the figures and the foregoing description, such an
illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and
not restrictive in character, it being understood that only
illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all
changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the
disclosure are desired to be protected. There are a plurality of
advantages of the present disclosure arising from the various
features of the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein.
It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the apparatus,
systems, and methods of the present disclosure may not include all
of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of
the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art
may readily devise their own implementations of the apparatus,
systems, and methods that incorporate one or more of the features
of the present disclosure.
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